In a year full of moments unlike any we have known in our lifetimes, I’ve found that even on a good day I am filled with a myriad of emotions and thoughts. To adapt to ever-changing circumstances, I’ve been trying different approaches on how to ground myself and come back to what makes me feel most like myself.
Staying grounded to me means feeling clear-headed and settled enough to remember the big picture; It’s being reminded of who I am and being able to find a next (small) step in cultivating the life I want to live. I imagine that staying grounded looks different for each of us, and the methods that might help us may vary greatly. One thing I do feel certain of is that each of us need some keys, practices, or rhythm in our daily lives that will ground us and remind us of who we are in the midst of life’s ups and downs.
I’ve realized that simple, little actions can make a huge difference in my overall well-being. I’ve compiled a list of some of the things that help bring me back to the present moment. My hope is that these ideas on how to ground yourself might spark in you renewed hope to find your own small actions that can help you forward in your days ahead.
Doing Something Routine
Routine actions, like washing dishes, tidying my bedroom, or walking my dog can be exactly what I need to bring back calm and familiarity. The methodical acts of washing dishes and tidying my room, feel meditative and satisfying to me as they bring a feeling of concrete progress. Going on a walk with my dog in the fresh air down familiar sidewalks can remind me I am safe and at home. These small acts of accomplishment also help remind me that even when a lot is out of my control, I still have certain things I can come back to and feel a sense of achievement.
Going Barefoot On the Grass
This one is definitely weather and location dependent, but I’ve found that walking barefoot on the grass in my backyard for a few minutes can help me feel more grounded in the present. There is research that this practice, also known as “earthing”, [which can be done in numerous ways like swimming in a natural body of water or walking barefoot on the sand at the beach], has potential benefits like improved mood and energy levels due to the way our bodies can be affected by the earth’s electrical charges. When I get outside barefoot, it reminds me of the way I used to feel after a day playing outside as a child…alive and refreshed. I’ve realized that when I’m spending a lot of the day indoors, it can make a world of difference to go outside, take my shoes off, and feel more connected to the natural world around me.
Chatting with a Close Friend
When I am feeling out of sorts, sometimes without knowing exactly why, or even when I do know why, it can feel helpful to connect with a friend who knows me well. Whether we recount our days, process a bit about how we’re each doing, or we just chat about what shows we’re watching, I find that it helps bring me back to the present moment and offers the gift of some much-needed perspective.
Doing Something Tactile
I spend most of the day doing tasks on the computer and can feel a longing for the connection that happens between my hands and my mind when doing something more tactile. For me, painting and drawing are tactile activities that pull me back to the present as I focus on what I am creating with my hands. When I draw or paint, the rest of the world feels like it disappears around me as my focus is glued to the creation process in a way that feels very meditative for me. Other ideas for tactile practices might be cooking, knitting, sewing, film photography, or playing a musical instrument.
Learning Something New
One of the quickest ways for me to feel pulled back into the present moment is to be engaged in learning something new. Whether it’s taking online courses on YouTube or Skillshare, watching a documentary, or reading a book or magazine about something of interest to me, all of these things require my full attention and focus. When I am engaged in the act of learning, my mind is occupied by the information I am taking in and less prone to dwell on thoughts of worry or fear. Learning something new also helps me to feel energized and reminded of what I am working towards and inspires me to keep moving forward.
Saying Gratitude Out Loud
Sometimes before bed, to help quiet my mind, I find it helpful to say a list of things I am thankful for out loud. Rather than just thinking about it, where my mind can have a tendency to wander, the act of saying things out loud helps me to focus and connect more to what I feel grateful for and spend more time with that practice. Along with this, a counselor once mentioned to me that another helpful act to close the day, can be to say out loud a few things you are proud of yourself for from that day. Especially on days that feel like real doozies, I’ve found that taking some extra time to feel proud of myself, even for really simple things like sticking to a commitment or getting to bed at the time planned, can encourage and lift my spirits as I get ready for the next day.
While we can’t know exactly what is ahead, may we each find grounding rhythms that help us through to the other side. In case you’d like to hear more thoughts on how to ground yourself during this challenging year, this calming podcast episode by psychotherapist Monica DiCristina, from her podcast “Still Becoming”, is all about this very topic.
What practices and rhythms have been helping you lately? Have you found new ways on how to ground yourself this year? Share with us in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
***Disclaimer: The author of “How to Ground Yourself in these Uncertain Times” is not a mental health professional and does not intend for any ideas or thoughts shared to be treated as medical advice. The statements written in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and are not intended to be a substitute for professional help.
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